The world of writing is evolving, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is a pivotal moment in its history. As an expert commentator, I delve into the implications of AI on the craft of writing, offering a unique perspective shaped by my early adoption of AI in literature. The recent controversy surrounding the novel Shy Girl and its AI-generated content highlights a crucial question: How should writers engage with this disruptive technology? My journey with AI began with the publication of my story in Wired in 2017, and I later released the first AI-generated novel reviewed in the New York Times, titled Death of an Author. Now, my work, "An Infinite Prayer for Peace," is on display at the Bildmuseet Gallery in Sweden, showcasing the potential of AI in artistic expression. This personal experience has led me to explore the complex relationship between writers and AI, challenging the notion that AI is a threat to our profession. Instead, I propose that AI presents an opportunity for writers to evolve and adapt, embracing the potential of automation while maintaining our unique value. The core of my argument lies in the power of language. The Transformer, the foundation of ChatGPT, recognized language as the key to abstraction, and this insight has proven to be revolutionary. Language, not images or mathematics, is at the heart of AI's capabilities. This realization has sparked a resurgence of interest in the humanities, with tech leaders emphasizing the importance of taste in the AI era. Taste, they argue, is cultivated through reading, writing, and a deep understanding of language. This is where writers come into play. We possess the skills to navigate the complexities of language, to craft meaningful expressions, and to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve. The recent survey revealing that 86% of college students use AI regularly underscores the pervasive influence of AI in our daily writing tasks. However, it also highlights a concerning trend: 14% of students are lying about their AI usage. This indicates a growing reliance on AI, even among those who claim to be against it. The ordinary business of writing, from student essays to memos, is being automated, and the mastery of style, once a hallmark of skilled writers, is at risk of becoming obsolete. This raises a critical question: How can writers adapt to this changing landscape? My approach to AI writing is unique. I advocate for a balanced approach, recognizing that AI is not a replacement for human creativity but rather a tool to enhance our writing process. I argue that writers should embrace AI as a means to automate repetitive tasks, allowing us to focus on the more creative aspects of our craft. This perspective is supported by the example of Gukesh Dommaraju, the current world chess champion, who avoided AI until he was fully formed as a player. His coach, Vishnu Prasanna, encouraged him to control the machine rather than letting it control him. This strategy allowed Gukesh to sharpen his skills, grow his creativity, and steer his talent away from bad habits, ultimately leading to his success. The key, I believe, is to be the pusher, not the button. AI should assist writers in their creative process, not dictate it. This is evident in my own work with "An Infinite Prayer for Peace." The creation of this piece was a challenging yet rewarding process, requiring years of refinement to achieve a truly regenerative work that no human could replicate. The surrealists of the early 20th century provide a valuable lesson in embracing the potential of AI. They did not compare themselves to Shakespeare or Keats but instead invented new forms of expression, using art to alter the nature of human experience. This approach, I argue, is essential for writers in the age of AI. The struggle faced by writers today is not new; cliche has always been a challenge. The task of writing in the age of AI is to see through the manias and cults, to unpack the mechanisms that drive the world, and to ring the bells that still can ring. Common sense, as Norbert Wiener, the father of cybernetics, suggested, is a guiding principle. We should render to man the things that are man's and to the computer the things that are the computer's. This perspective acknowledges the value of human creativity and the unique role writers play in shaping the world through language. The arrival of AI has brought both challenges and opportunities for humanists. According to the New York Fed, unemployment for computer science graduates is 6.1%, while for art history majors, it is 3%. This disparity highlights the value of human creativity and the skills that cannot be replaced by AI. As AI continues to evolve, writers must embrace its potential while maintaining their unique value. The literary community must recognize the difference between language that sounds meaningful and language that is meaningful. In the end, the choice is clear: writers can either engage with AI and harness its power or succumb to the slop and cliche that AI can produce. The future of writing lies in embracing the potential of AI while preserving the essence of human creativity. As writers, we must navigate this evolving landscape, adapting to new modes of generation and dissemination, and ultimately, finding our place in the world of AI-driven literature.
